All the Lonely People
Part One
By Carolina and Rachel
super_carolina1@yahoo.com

Disclaimer: We only own the characters created by us, the rest belong to NBC and all those people who get to play with them every week. Suing is useless, we have no money.

Authors' Notes: This story was originally a role playing game, but we decided to make it into a fanfic. Not all the plots were taken from the game, actually only three are. A big thanks to Abigail, Kelly and SBJ for letting us borrow some of their ideas. This is an alternate season 7. That means that none of the things that have happened so far this season are relevant to the story. What do we need to know, you ask? Here's what's important:

- Lucy is dead
- Carol went to Seattle, but her and Doug came back to Chicago to finish some business. Therefore, Carol dumped Luka and the twins exist.
-Chen is pregnant.
-Carter has been to rehab and back.
-Abby is not an alcoholic. Maggie is not Maggie, and she's not Bipolar.

I think you get the picture by now, the rest will be explained throughout the story. Enjoy!



Not the kind of hospital she was expecting, but it would do. She did frown at the fact that there were no trees; back home the outside would be filled with grass and benches for the patients to sit and relax. "Life in Chicago," her southern accent muttered as she looked around. The inside was even worse. Patients were waiting in a closed space area while hospital supplies waited outside on the hallway, welcoming any strangers to walk up and steal them. There was only one security guy, and he was falling asleep in his position. Patients were complaining and there was not one doctor in sight.

"What have I gotten myself into," she mumbled to herself.

A spunky receptionist stood in the middle of a chaotic front desk, and she approached her carefully. "Excuse me?"

Randi gave her the hand and then flinched, "Great, thanks. I just missed the king of hearts."

"I'm sorry, how rude of me to interrupt on your slacking time," she rolled her eyes.

Randi nodded. "I like your accent. Where are you from?"

"Um," she shook her head. "I'm looking for Dr. Weaver? I'm supposed to start today, I'm the new PA."

Randi opened a new game of Solitaire and stared at the computer, "She's busy, wait in chairs."

City gals. She looked at an available chair in the waiting area, and then at the man next to it as he chocked up and puked all over it. After closing her eyes and counting to three, she walked around the desk as she spotted a man wearing a white lab coat. He quickly turned around the hallway and walked into a room labeled, 'Doctor's Lounge'. Technically she was a doctor, so she walked in anyway. "Excuse me? Hi."

Luka Kovac looked at the small woman and raised his eyebrows. He skipped the smile and scratched his ear while he looked at her. "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, I was supposed to meet, um, Dr. Weaver? I'm starting today," she said.

"Oh," Luka nodded. "Well, nice to meet you, I'm Luka Kovac."
 
"Brynn McKay," she extended her hand and shook his.

"I don't know if Dr. Weaver is here yet, but, uh, I could, show you around if you'd like," he said as he held his Styrofoam cup of coffee in one hand and scratched his neck with the other.

Brynn smiled, "Sure, that would be great."

Luka smiled a forced smile, wishing he wouldn't have made that offer because he wasn't sure he could be the best tour guide. But she was the only person who had talked to him that day; he never knew solitude made people crave for someone to talk to so much. As he walked ahead of her, he opened the lounge door with a little hurry, and jumped back when the door hit something, and a frustrated female voice moaned about being hurt.

When he was able to open the door fully, he flinched when he realized it was Abby. "Oh, oh, Abby, I'm so sorry, are you ok?"

Abby closed her eyes and counted to three. The day had started out bad and she couldn't see and end to it. But she just pasted a fake smile on her face. "Don't worry about it," she muttered, trying to contain the desire to punch him, and feeling something hot burning her chest.

Luka ducked his head, "Oh, I spilled your coffee." He felt like a small man, because Abby didn't look like she was ok with it at all. He went to clean her shirt but then stopped in his tracks. "I will buy you a new one."

Abby shook her head, cleaning her new shirt. "Don't worry about it," she mumbled.

Luka looked from Abby to Brynn, "Oh, uh, this is Miss..."

"Brynn McKay," Brynn extended her hand to Abby.

Abby looked up at that, still trying to put together all the papers Luka had fumbled, "Oh, nice to meet you. Are you new?"

"I'm the new PA," Brynn smiled.

"Oh," Abby exclaimed. "Well, I'm a third year student, you know, in case you need someone to do your scut work," she said sarcastically.

Brynn chuckled, "I'll remember that."

"Hey, Randi," Dave called out as he approached the front desk. "I need you to send a fax to this number, and call me when they answer."

"Right," Randi said, still on the computer.

Dave was about to leave, but while staring at the computer, he walked up to her again. "Put the three of spades up."

"Shhh!" Randi shook her hand. "I've got a system."

"What system? Just click on it. Did you know this was timed?" Dave exclaimed.

"Dave, I'm working," Randi scolded him.

Dave shook his head and looked around, and suddenly raised his eyebrows when he saw the small reunion by the lounge. "Oh, what is this? New hospital meat and she doesn't have the Malucci Seal of Approval yet?" he quipped when he saw Brynn.

"That's the new PA," Randi said.

Dave adjusted his pants, "Yeah, well, I'm a physician, I need assistance..."

"I doubt she's here to change diapers, Dave," Randi quipped.

"We'll see about that." Dave walked over immediately and pushed Abby away to stand in front of Brynn. He heard the med student complain but he decided to ignore her, and focused on the young brunette in front of him. "Hi, I'm Dr. Dave," he said slyly.

Brynn looked at Luka, at Abby gathering her things from the floor again and then at Dave, "I'mBrynn."
 
"And I'm out of here," Abby said as she walked pass them and into the lounge.

Luka tapped the wall for a moment, "Dave, get back to work." He walked away.

Dave leaned against the wall, his hand on his waist, ignoring Luka's command. "So, where are you from?"

"Um, Louisiana," Brynn said.

"Really?" Dave said, trying to sound impressed. "That's fascinating."

"It's just a state," Brynn said.

"Yeah, but it's, um... shaped like a..." Dave stammered.

"Dave, just take three steps back and walk away from the lady," Kerry said as she approached them, with a bunch of papers on her hands.

"Oh, come on, chief," Dave complained.

"You have patients to see," Kerry scolded again and smiled at Bynn. "I'm Kerry Weaver, sorry to have kept you waiting."

"Oh, she was well taken care of," Dave chipped in.

Kerry turned around and gave Dave a look, "Dr. Dave, I have a written warning, folded neatly on my desk drawer. All I have to do is sign it, and I am just waiting for a reason to do so."

Dave immediately lowered his head and walked away, and Kerry turned to Brynn, "Please don't judge us by our worst specimen."

Brynn laughed, "Don't worry, I've dealt with men like him before."

"Great," Kerry exclaimed. "Has anyone given you the tour?"

"Doctor, um, this foreign guy..."

"Dr. Kovac," Kerry interrupted her.

"Right. He was going to, but I don't know where he is now," Brynn said as she looked around.

"Well," Kerry said and took a walkman out of her pocket, "Luckily I have designed and put together this tape. Just follow the instructions and you won't get lost."

"Hey, great idea," Brynn said.

"Why don't you find me when you're done," Kerry smiled and walked away.

Brynn put the headphones over her ears and immediately ran away as the tape began to tell her hurried instructions as to where she should have been a few seconds ago.



"Doug, can we please go, I'm gonna be late," Carol called out as she held Kate in her hands, and looked at Doug on the nursery with Tess.

"Don't listen to your mother, Tess. Looking good is what got me into med school in the first place," he winked as his daughter as he tried to put her little shoes on. "Huh," he casually said.

"What?" Carol said as she walked into the nursery.

"Are these Kate's?" Doug asked.

"Doesn't really matter, they're the same size," Carol said as she put Kate down.

"No, no, I bought these back in Seattle, Kate's are bigger," Doug said.

"They're twins, Doug. They're the same size," Carol said.

Doug stood up and analyzed both his daughters, "You know, Kate has grown in these last few months and Tess is still the same size," he said suspiciously.

"Kids grow at different paces," Carol added, trying to get him to just go.

Doug shook his head and just carried Tess in one hand and her baby bag in the other. "Yeah, maybe she'll be short, like her daddy."

"Not as cocky, I hope," Carol joked as she locked the house.

"Well, if they have their mother's sense of humor, then we can expect a successful career in the wonderful world of stand up comedy," Doug quipped.

Carol just slapped his arm and followed him to the car. "So how much do you think they can give me for the house?" she asked after putting the girls in the car seats and sitting on her own.

"I don't know," Doug mumbled as he turned on the engine. "Bad location, bad architecture, bad neighbors, how can they not resist that deal?"

Carol just shot him a look, "You know, you're a lot more sarcastic now than I remember."

"Ba ba," Kate called out.

Doug sighed and turned around, "Did you hear that? She said Papa."

"She said Ba ba, Doug. She called me Ba ba, she called the pediatrician Ba ba, she even called your neighbor's dog Ba ba."

"She's probably trying to say, 'Mommy, stop being such a nag and give daddy some lovin'," Doug faked a baby voice.

Carol chuckled, "Mommy would give daddy some lovin' if he would help her at night when Tess can't sleep."

Doug turned serious, "Maybe we should just go."



Haleh deposited a boy on a gurney and looked around for an available doctor, "Abby?" she called out when she saw the young woman. Not her first choice, but the one available.

"Yeah?" Abby asked as she walked closer.

"Thomas Milton, fell of his bike and complains of tenderness on his wrist," Haleh said.
 
Abby smiled at the boy and sat in front of him, "Hi Thomas, where are your parents?"

"His mom went to pick up his sister at school, left me to look after him," Haleh said.

Abby put on her gloves and took the boy's wrist on her hands, "How old are you, Thomas?"

Thomas showed Abby his four fingers.

"Four years old, wow," Abby said. She moved the boy's hand and he cried out. "Sorry, Thomas."

"Should I take him to radiology?" Haleh asked with a little attitude.

Abby looked back at her, "Um, yeah, looks like it's broken." She stood up with her hands on her waist and sighed, "Should I go with him?"

"Nurses job," Haleh said as she picked up Thomas and walked away.

"Abby," Kerry said as she approached the med student. "I wanted to talk to you about your fourth year."

Abby followed Kerry to the main desk area, "Well, it won't start for another trimester."

"I know, but I thought, since you have more experience, maybe we could work something out with all the rotations? Make them a little shorter?"

Abby flinched her face, "Is that possible?"

"If you're willing to work 24/7 it is," Kerry said and stopped to look at Abby. "Are you up to it?"

Abby thought for a while, and just looked at Kerry.

"As soon as you get your voice back, let me know. I need to make a decision soon," Kerry said and walked away.

"Abby, lab results are back on Mrs. Flanders," Lydia said.

Abby, who had been looking at the back of Kerry's head, looked at Lydia as if the woman was from another planet.

"Flanders?" Lydia waved the results in front of Abby's face.

"Right," Abby said and followed the nurse. With a sigh, she took the papers out, "Can't wait to go home."

"Bad day?" Lydia asked without interest.
 
"Confusing more than anything," Abby said as they walked.

"Nurses are going for a couple of drinks after work..."

"Sorry, Lydia, I'm on all night," Abby interrupted her.

"I wasn't inviting you, I was telling you," Lydia said callously.

Abby just looked at her, "Right, thanks for the news," she said sarcastically and walked into the exam room.



Good ol' County General. This place got aimed at, hosted shootings, explosions, earthquakes, chemical spills, deadly outbreaks, biohazards, and every week it was as if nothing had happened.

He wondered if that would be the case now. He wondered if he would walk in and everyone had forgotten he nearly died and then was sent to Atlanta to get rid of his addiction. He could only wonder, and pray.

His hands were sweating, and his heart was banging against its cavity. He tried to hang on to Mark's promise that they would support him when he came back, but that proved as little comfort. All the wanted was to turn back time and prevent Valentine's Day 2000 from happening.

Well, he had to walk in some time. He held his light brown bag tightly and looked around. His forehead wrinkled. He'd recognize that black hair everywhere and that made him smile. Looking at his watch, he decided that he had a few minutes to spare, so he walked over.

She was reading a chart intensely, probably to make a diagnosis before anyone else could; he always admired and even envied that determination. But her face was different. She looked like a photograph taken without permission; her eyes almost sad.

"Deb?" he asked when he was near her, lowering his stare to find hers.

She looked up and immediately smiled when she saw him standing in front of her. "John," she said, her enthusiasm back. "Welcome back." She put the chart down and stood to embrace him, and felt him pull back a little.

"Whoa," Carter exclaimed and looked down, noticing her little round belly for the first time. He looked at her in surprise and awe. "Are you pregnant?"

Jing Mei rolled her eyes, "No, John, I swallowed a fetus," she said sarcastically.

Carter shook his head, still not believing this, and not knowing how to react. If there was one person who was big on planning her life ten years ahead of time, that was Deb Chen. So, was this a good thing or not? Somehow her melancholic eyes gave him the answer to that question. "How far along are you?"

"Twenty weeks," Jing Mei said. She suddenly smiled even more, trying to change the subject. "So how are you feeling?"

"I'm ok," Carter said, but couldn't take his eyes off her belly. "Um, I have a meeting with Weaver now."

"Good luck with that, but she's in a good mood today," Chen said.

"Thanks," Carter said, not taking his eyes off her face. There was so much he wanted to ask her, and he noticed that she was screaming to be heard as well, she looked desperate, fragile.

He ran his hands through his hair and let out a sigh. "Listen, I'll come get you later, let's have coffee."

Chen mock smiled and shook her head, "I'm fine, John."

"Hey, I just wanna have coffee with a friend," Carter said as he raised his hands as a peace sign.

Chen looked reluctant, but caved in, "Ok."

Carter smiled, "Ok." he rubbed her arm, "I better get going. See you in a few."

Chen smiled genuinely, "Good luck."



Luka stepped out of the ER after having yet another dispute with Kerry over a patient. The sky was blue and very clear, and he leaned against the wall of the ambulance bay for a minute, enjoying his break and these few minutes of peace.

He heard a giggle, one he knew too well. His eyes searched around, and held his breath when he saw Carol with her babies, and a man. Was this the famous Doug Ross? What were they doing in Chicago? Did they move down here? He was ok if they had, really. He had learned earlier than he had cared to admit that Carol Hathaway belonged to Doug Ross. He could live with that. But he missed the girls. He had allowed himself to get too close to someone else's daughters, and he had gotten burned.

Still, he couldn't take his eyes off the happy family. Doug must have sensed it, because he looked at Luka, and they both stared at each other for a long time, until Doug walked into the ER.

Luka let out a sigh, and looked around some more. 'It's just a test, just a test,' he told himself. He reminded himself of this every time his life wasn't making much sense, which was often. Life gives you tests like these and you just have to remind yourself that they are just tests, and that something better was waiting if you passed them.



"Honey?" Doug called as he caught up with Carol. "I'm not sure I should be here; Kerry Weaver will have a heart attack when she sees me. You feel that cold shudder traveling down your spine? That means she's around here somewhere."

Carol just shook her head and then all of a sudden they were bombarded with hugs and hellos from all the nurses, doctors, and desk clerks. Carol laughed, "Randi? Is Kerry around?"

"She's in a meeting with Carter," Randi said from the desk. "Long story."

Lydia jumped in, "Oh, it's slow now, we'll catch you up on the gossip."

Tess began to cry, and Doug took the other carrier from Carol, "Here, I think we'll go for a walk and let you ladies talk."

"Thanks Doug," Carol said before the rest of the nurses ushered her away.

"Chicks," Dave said as he approached Doug.

Doug looked at Dave and put one of the carriers down, "Hey, I'm Doug Ross."

Dave turned serious, "Doug Ross? The Doug Ross who dated 34 women on the hospital staff?" he asked in awe.

Doug nodded, "None other."

Dave let out a sigh, "I am such a big fan of your work." He shook Doug's hand with more enthusiasm.

Doug chuckled, "Well, that was in the old days, uh..."

"Dave Malucci," Dave jumped in.

"Dave. But I'm a settled man now, will happen to you someday too," Doug said and walked away with a carrier in each hand.

Dave laughed, "Right, settled." He snorted, "Good one," he muttered to himself as he walked the other way. "Settled."



He was surprised his pager hadn't gone off yet; there probably weren't many patients inside. He glanced over at Doc Magoo's, trying to remember when was the last time he had had a cup of coffee; the fact that he couldn't was a tip off. As he walked over, he recognized someone sitting in one of the booths by the window.

"Black coffee, please," he ordered at the counter and walked over. "I hope you are going to let me pay for that coffee."

Abby looked up and smiled out of habit, "Dr. Kovac," she said and immediately began to put all the papers, charts, and books she was reading away.

"Mind if I sit?" Luka asked.

"No, go ahead," Abby replied, feeling a bit nervous. Luka Kovac never really looked at her, let alone have some coffee chat, that made her a little self conscious, and ignorant about what to say.

"Going over some cases?" Luka asked as the server brought him his coffee, and he grabbed a couple of sugar packets from the table.

Abby shook her head, "Just reading."

"Ah," Luka nodded, "That's the worst part of medicine, I promise."

"I don't know," Abby smiled. "I can think of too many other things."

"Not enjoying your ER rotation, Abby?" Luka teased as he took a sip of his coffee. Truth was Abby didn't need to say much, because he hadn't talked to another human being for so long, he had around a million topics in his mind he could go over.

Abby just fake smiled, not sure she wanted to let her superior know that she was not thrilled to be here. Another nurse, maybe, but not an attending, not even a doctor.

Luka sensed her apprehension, so he pushed her a little, "Is there another rotation you'd like to do?"
 
"No, no, it's not that," Abby said and then bit her tongue to stop herself. But then all of a sudden it all built inside of her and it came out in a sigh, "Do you ever get the feeling that you don't really wanna be here?"

Luka chuckled, "All the time."

Abby smiled, "I mean, medicine. I just..." she let out a sigh and shook her head, "I guess I just miss nursing."

Luka nodded while Abby talked. "I think I can understand a bit. It is different in America. Less compassion, more rules. Sometimes I think I will never fit in. It was very different in Croatia during the war. We needed each other. The patients needed the doctors, but somehow, the doctors needed the patients too. And sometimes I feel a bit lonely when I am here in America..." He grew self conscious. "Ah, but America is a great place." He smiled, and Abby chuckled.

The doors opened with a ding, and Doug walked in to put the two carries in a table, and took out two bottles of baby food. "Alright, I really hate to do this to you guys, but your mother thinks eating smashed peas will make you grow big and strong." He opened both bottles, "But I promise if you eat all this, I'll get you a couple of beers later. Who's first?"

Tess just stared at him with a boring expression on her face, and Kate kicked her feet together.

"Alright, Kate, you're first. Tess snoozes, she looses," Doug said as he opened the baby food and pulled Kate's carrier closer.

Luka had his back against them, so Abby watched the whole scene, "Aren't those Carol's girls?" she asked all of a sudden.

Luka didn't even look back, but sipped from his coffee, "Yes."

"Is she back?" Abby asked.

Luka just shrugged his shoulders to seem nonchalant, but he was trying too hard. "I guess so." He shook it off, "Anyway, Abby, I think you are doing well. The ER can be a little harsh, but if you need any help you can come to me or Dr. Weaver, and we will try to help you."

Abby smiled, and played with her coffee for a while before looking up, "I'll keep that in mind."

One of the babies giggled and that made Luka look back. He turned slowly so that he could see without being observed. It was Doug and he was feeding Kate. Luka knew it was Kate. He knew the girls. Kate was giggling and it was killing Luka. But he redirected his attention to Abby so that she wouldn't think he wasn't enjoying her company.

Abby just gave him a knowing look, "Do you wanna sit in another table?" She knew how keen Luka had been on Carol, and she didn't know why Carol was back, but she was thinking that man with the girls was Doug Ross. That must not be boding well with Luka.

Luka shook his head again, "No, no. Why would we?"

Abby just played with her coffee some more.

Luka bit his lip, just a test. All of sudden his pager went off, and it was too good to be true. He looked it over and glanced at Abby, "I should get back."

"Yeah, I'm done here too," Abby said as she grabbed all the charts and books she was going over.

Luka dropped a five dollar bill on the table and let Abby walk ahead, and he looked as Doug made believe the spoon was a plane going into Kate's mouth, and the baby giggling with excitement. He walked out.



The ER looked like someone had stepped on an ant hill, and Kerry was walking around giving all kinds of orders, "Call surgery and tell him to be ready to receive patients. I want all the rooms down here ready and empty, and call every doctor available." She stopped when she saw Luka and Abby walk in. "Luka, there was a big gang shooting in a neighborhood, we have no idea how many are down. They need a doctor on the scene, so get ready." She didn't even give him a chance to reply before she walked off.

Luka raised his eyebrows and walked into the lounge followed by Abby. "Does this make you think twice about leaving the ER?" he asked her.

Abby smiled, "Kinda."

Luka looked at her and smiled, "Would you like to come?"

Abby looked up at him, "What?"

"Have you ever been on a paramedic ride along, Miss Lockhart?" he asked as he closed his locker.

"No," Abby said quickly.

"You have three seconds to get ready, I'll meet you outside." He walked out of the lounge, leaving her behind.



Outside, everyone was already set to go, and some ambulances were pulling already. Kerry approached one and watched the new peer looking lost, "Miss McKay, come with me!"

"Uh, call me Brynn," Brynn said as she followed Kerry down the hall.
 
"Ok, I am all set, get me some action," Dave said excitedly, waiting for the next patient to come in. A gurney came in with a crying patient, and Dave immediately walked over. "Hit me."

"Single GSW to the upper leg, pretty stabilized. We gave him 2 or morphine on the scene, BP is 90/70, pulse is 98," Doris said.

"Just give me something for the pain!" the young man cried.

"Not so manly without a gun, huh?" Dave teased and turned to Doris, "I know this guys, they're supposed to be the biggest gang in Chicago.

Doris turned to him as they wheeled the gurney in, "You should see the scene, it's like Omaha Beach down there."

"Alright, get this guy in an exam room, I'll be right there," Dave said and took off to find a more challenging case.

"Dave? What's going on?" Cleo asked as she walked in after jogging her usual four miles.

"There was a gang shooting, there's a kid in with Doris who needs you," Dave said and sent her off.

Another gurney came in, more hurriedly. "17 year old male with multiple GSWs to the chest and abdomen. We lost the pulse on the way, defibrillated twice and got him back. Pulse ox is 92, pulse 85. Lost at least two or three liters on the scene."

"Alright!" Dave exclaimed as he followed the gurney in, "Get me three of O neg and check for type specific, we're gonna need surgery on this one."



All of a sudden, Abby wished she wouldn't have accepted this ride along offer. The helicopter was waiting for them in the roof, and they gave her a physician's jacket along with first aid kits and a cooler with 5 units of O neg. Luka, though, looked like he did this everyday, and after he helped her into the chopper and it took off, Abby turned to him, "This is my first helicopter ride. Do we get lunch or dinner? Cause I'm in a bit of a mood for bad chicken," she tried to joke as she shouted, although her heart was banging wildly.

Luka smiled, "Maybe next time." He was glad this was just a routine rescue, perfect to restore Abby's confidence, but not dangerous. As the helicopter took off Luka smiled at her and noticed she was gripping her chair handles very tightly. "Don't worry, this is gonna be easy."

"Right," Abby said and just decided to look out the window. There was a lot of traffic down there, probably the reason why they decided to use the helicopter. Truth was she wasn't that scared about the patients, really, it was more about the chaos and all the running around. She was sure Luka was used to that. Well, maybe she was generalizing, but Kerry always sent him on rides like this for a reason. Suddenly the helicopter hit the ground, and the door was opened quickly.

"We have around 20 wounded, two are DOA. Just jump in," a cop said as the blades of the helicopter made it impossible to hear something, and the wind they produced almost unable to walk. The scene was a mess, making it unable to tell who was wounded, and who was a cop or a paramedic.



"Romano said you needed a surgeon, are you ok here?" Elizabeth said as she pushed the doors open.

Kerry looked up from her work, "We're fine, check the other rooms."

"What happened?" Elizabeth asked as people ran all around.

"There was a gang shooting," Chuny said before Kerry could say something.

"Ok, this one's stable, make sure you get him a room, I don't wanna see him anywhere near the ER. And get the room ready for another patient," Kerry said as she took her gloves off and threw them on the floor. "Brynn? Are you ok?"

Brynn smiled, "We don't get many gang shootings in Louisiana."

"You'll get used to it," Elizabeth smiled.

"How are we doing out there, Lydia?" Kerry asked.

"Not too many patients yet, but there's still a few down at the scene," Lydia said as she walked by with a unit of O neg in one hand.

Kerry shook her head and peeked it out, "Tell the paramedics that Mercy is open to trauma too!"

Elizabeth took off, and walked into the next trauma room. "Dave, what are you doing?"

"What took you so long? This guy's insides look like a can of old Chef Boyardee," Dave said as he tried to stabilize the patient.

Elizabeth put a gown on and walked closer. "What have you got?"

"I think one of the bullets penetrated the spleen," Dave said. "Don't sweat it, I bet a lot more people would be glad if this one took off."

"I'll make that decision, Dr. Malucci," Elizabeth said as she analyzed the patient. "Alright, let's get an ultrasound and stabilize him before we go up to surgery."

"Why don't you wait for the other patients to come in before you take this one up?" Dave asked, stepping back a little.

"Because this is an emergency room and this is an emergency case, Dave. If a patient needs surgery, he'll get surgery regardless of why he came into the ER."

Dave shook his head, and just did as she said. "Hang another unit in the rapid infuser!"



Carter walked into a small cafeteria and looked around. He spotted Jing Mei seated in a table and walked over, "Are you off?"

Jing Mei looked up and smiled, "Yeah, couple of minutes ago." She watched him for a while, "How was the meeting?"

Carter raised his eyebrows as he sat down, "Not as bad as I thought. I'm starting next week, but I still can't handle any criticals unless Dr. Weaver thinks I'm ready."

"That seems reasonable," Chen said as she eyed her newspaper.

"You think so?" Carter asked.

Deb smiled, "John, if I was Kerry Weaver I wouldn't have you back for another few months. Trust me, you got off easy."

Carter shook his head, he knew she was being serious. If Chen was Weaver, he'd be fired by now. "So, what have you been doing?" he asked foolishly.

Jing Mei looked up, "Not that obvious?"

Carter chuckled, "Sorry. I guess, I'm still in awe," he said as he pointed to her belly. "Are you... married?" he asked cautiously.

Jing Mei shook her head, "No."

"So, you're seeing someone?" he asked again.

Jing Mei was getting a little uncomfortable, because she hadn't told anyone about this. Carter was the only one who had noticed, the only one she had talked to about it. It still wasn't her favorite topic of conversation. It was hard to wake up with morning sickness and not having someone to be there and keep your hair up. It was hard going through mood swings without having someone comfort you, and it was hard walking through baby stores without having someone walking alongside you. It was just too hard.

But she had to keep her head above the water, so she shifted on her seat, "No, not really. I guess you can say there's no father." She looked at Carter for a moment before getting defensive. "Look, John, I know what people think about these things. I'm not going to lie to you, it was really an accident." The made her drop her half smile and get serious, too serious.

"I haven't told anyone, and I am begging you to keep your mouth closed," she said.

Carter nodded, "Of course."

Jing Mei let out a sigh, "I know I probably should have done something sooner, but I guess it happened to fast, and now it's too late." She looked at Carter, bringing down her wall, "I just don't know what to do now."

Carter bit his lip, looking at her the whole time, "Who's the father?" he asked carefully.

Jing Mei looked up at him, reluctant, but since everything was coming out in the open, who not one more secret peeking out. "Um, it's Frank, from upstairs," she said hesitantly.
 
Carter was a bit surprised, but he was trying too hard not to react the wrong way, so he decided not to react at all. Frank Rambo? He didn't even know they were dating. Then again, he didn't know much about what was going on with his friends. It somehow seemed like he was meeting Chen all over again. "Have you told him?" he asked.

Jing Mei looked down and shook her head no.

Carter nodded, "You know, you should."

Jing Mei nodded, "I know." She let out a sigh, "How am I going to tell my parents?" she whimpered.

Carter smiled sympathetically, and went over to sit next to her. She didn't cry, he wasn't expecting to. But she needed someone, so did he. He put his arm around her and kissed the top of her hair. "You know I'm here for you, right?"
 
Jing Mei nodded against his shoulder, "Thanks, John." Her pager went off.



"You know, everyday I wake up and I see that man leaving that pound of cocaine by the corner, and I thank God I live in Chicago, where I'll never be jobless," Romano said as he neared the front desk.

"Robert, it's so refreshing to have you down here to shower us with your kindness and words of encouragement," Kerry said sarcastically, waiting for more traumas.

"Well, you know what they say, a watched doctor never achieves the level of competence you want them to. I thought I'd mingle with my troops for today, since we seem to be getting too many traumas." He followed Kerry out to the bay, "Have these paramedics any idea that County is not the only hospital in town?"

"They do, Robert, but there's a lot wounded at the scene, obviously," Kerry said, exasperated.

Romano put his hands on his hips, looking at all the turmoil around him, "Have we gone over the proper trauma conduct on this hospital?"

"Over and over again," Kerry said.

"Then why the hell is everyone running around like they just saw the four horses of the Apocalypse?" he asked.

Kerry rolled her eyes, "This is an ER, Robert, people tend to do things in a little hurry. God didn't bless us all with your sootiness and well-mannered behavior."

Romano looked at Kerry for a moment, and then at an approaching ambulance, "I'm calling a meeting after this whole trauma. Meanwhile I'm going to entertain Greene for a while."

Kerry just shook her head in annoyance and approached the ambulance. "What have we got?"



Luka motioned for Abby to follow him as he began to run from patient to patient, triaging as he went, sometimes allowing Abby to help out on some of the more minor ones.

A paramedic motioned to Luka and Abby, "Fifteen year old, shot in the belly, some rebounding, should we transport?"

Luka looked the boy over, "Yes, get him to County as fast as you can and get Benton on him."Luka motioned for Abby to follow as they continued to treat the wounded in the best fashion the could being out in the field."How are you doing so far?"

"So far so good," Abby shouted above all the turmoil that was going around. Screaming mothers and family members stood behind the 'Do not cross' line, inquiring about their loved one's status in what seemed like 20 different languages. As Luka gave some more orders about another patient, Abby looked around and out in the distance, noticed a leg coming out of an alley. It was far from the scene, and she wondered if it was a homeless person or not. She turned to Luka, "Dr. Kovac," she shouted and pointed on the direction of the peeking leg.

Luka furrowed his brow and looked at the leg Abby was pointing at. "Good job, let's go check it out. It could be a injured person." Luka moved cautiously along the buildings and into the alley.There was no one in sight, except for the injured man. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, unconscious, and bleeding from his chest, but he still was making breathing motions. Luka was surprised at how quiet the alley seemed. The helicopters seemed like they were miles away now and Luka bent down to triage the man. "Looks like it is a chest injury. Go get an EMS person to transport him. We need to get him to a hospital, now."

Abby pressed her hands against the victim's chest, trying to stop the bleeding, which was beginning to form a river of blood all the way to the street. He needed to be stabilized and there was no way they could do that with the little equipment they had. She nodded at Luka, but she also didn't want to leave him and the patient behind. She stood up and turned around, "We need some help here!" she shouted.

Luka bent over the patient to keep pressure on the wound and keep CPR going.

Suddenly behind them there was a stirring that broke the silence. A very young looking boy dressed in black jumped from behind some garbage cans and yelled out, "Hey coppers!" and he pulled out a gun and pointed it with deadly aim at Abby, who was still hovering over the patient.

Luka bounded over and toppled Abby to the ground and tried to cover her and the injured man.There was a deafening bang that seemed to reverberate off of the walls of the alley and Luka felt a searing pain in his shoulder and arm. He moaned and felt himself fall more heavily on both Abby and the patient than he meant to, but he could not help it.

To be continued...